Sports Integrity Briefs – 19 July 2016

• The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has clearedRatchanok Intanon (pictured) of committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV), after she reported an adverse analytical finding (AAF) on 15 May at the Total BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in Kunshan, China. The AAF was due to the presence of triamcinolone acetonide in the sample, which is prohibited in-competition when administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly or rectally. However, as the route of administration was intra-tendinous as part of ongoing medical treatment, the BWF ruled that no therapeutic use exemption (TUE) was necessary. The reasoned decision is available here.

• The South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) has been forced to confirm a positive test for methylhexaneamine, after discus medal hope Victor Hogan was not included in the Athletics South Africa team for Rio 2016, prompting questions from the media. “He tested positive for methylhexaneamine which is a specified substance, there was no provisional sanction, and he requested the B-sample to be analysed which confirmed the A-sample”, SAIDS CEO Khalid Galant toldIOL. “He subsequently received the written decision for admission of guilt, which is a two year ban which started effectively from July 12”.

• The Football League is investigating the takeover of Nottingham Forest by a Greek businessman, reportsThe Guardian. The club is understood to be in talks to sell in talks to sell a majority stake to Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of the Greek champions Olympiakos. Marinakis is currently banned from involvement in football in Greece, and the subject of a major criminal prosecution, in which he is accused of seeking to control Greek football by criminal means, including bribery and blackmail.

• Two Ethiopian athletes have been banned after an adverse analytical finding for norandrosterone and 19-Noradrostenedione, reports the Ethiopia Reporter.

• The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has published an anti-doping report which records no adverse analytical findings (AAFs) from 267 tests carried out during the 2015/16 season. The number of tests was a 40% increase on the 191 tests carried out during the 2014/15 season. To download the report, click here.

• The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has confirmed it has received notification from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that Brock Lesnar has been informed of a potential anti-doping rule violation (ARDV) due to a 28 June out of competition test. Lesnar is a former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) athlete who also competes in UFC events.

• The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal by Russian weightlifter Alexei Lovchev against a four-year ban issued by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) due to a positive test for ipamorelin. The IWF welcomed the decision.